Travel Guide: Legazpi City

A progressive city by the bay nested in the backdrop of the Philippines’ most beautiful yet active volcano – Mt. Mayon, dubbed as the world’s most perfect cone, is Legazpi City.

The capital of the Province of Albay and regional hub for Bicolandia, Legazpi City beckons everyone with its amazing scenery, natural wonders, delicious cuisines and delicacy, and lovely people.

But Legazpi City not only boasts of its own attractions, it also serves as gateway to the province and the region’s amazing destinations. Trek the trails of Mt. Mayon; dip in the hot springs of Tiwi; rekindle the volcano’s tragic past at Cagsawa Ruins; experience adventure and the best view of the city at Lignon Hill; enjoy the sun, sea and sand of Misibis Bay; discover the unspoiled white sand beaches of Cagraray, San Miguel and Rapu Rapu; be amazed with the black sandy beaches of Bacacay; visit the province’s old churches and structures; enjoy the cold water of its countless waterfalls; or explore its beautiful hidden caves.

If these do not excite you, go further south, swim with the whale sharks of Donsol, see the other virgin beaches and hidden treasures of Sorsogon, dive in Manta Bowl and hop to the islands of Masbate, try wake-boarding in Naga, head on and be mesmerized in Caramoan Peninsula, surf in Catanduanes and Daet, or fall in love with Calaguas.

Truly, Bicol is the land of beauty and wonders, and in the middle of it all is Legazpi City, your gateway to Bicolandia!

How to Get There

By Air
There are daily flights from Manila to Legazpi City. Airlines servicing this route are Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express. It is approximately one hour flight.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific and Airphil Express also fly to the city from Cebu.

By Bus
Bus lines from Metro Manila going to Sorsogon, Visayas and Mindanao or vice versa, stop at Legazpi City. These include Philtranco, Superlines, Cagsawa Tours, Amihan, Isarog Line, St. Jude Transit and Goldline Tours. Travel time is 9 to 10 hours.

By Train
Philippine National Railways’ used to service Albay Province with their Bicol Express. The end terminal was in Legazpi City until the service stopped in 2006 after the line incurred damages due to typhoons. In 2011, the PNR Bicol express resumed its Bicol Express service albeit only up to Naga City, Camarines Sur.

Bicol Express operates a daily trip from Tutuban in Manila to Naga City at 630PM, travel time is 10-12 hours. Return trip is also at 630PM. Fare is P416 for economy, P548 for reclining air-con, P950 for family sleeper and 1426 for executive sleeper. Reservation is required prior to boarding. Please visit their page (http://www.facebook.com/pnrailways) for announcements and latest updates on schedules, prices and discounts.

The bell tower of the old Cagsawa Church in the nearby town of Daraga

Where to Stay

Various accommodations for various market segments are available in Legazpi City. From fancy hotels to backpackers hostel , lodges and inns, you will sure find a place perfect for your budget. Here’s the list of places to stay as compile by Wow Legazpi (www.wowlegazpi.com).

Hello from Paris !
I’ve been 14 times to the Philippines, but not yet to Legazpi.
I climbed a few volcanoes in your beautiful country (Pinatubo, Taal, Kanlaon, Talinis), and I would like to know if Mount Mayon is now (June 2014) re-open for trekking ?

We went there in albay last feb.. We book the hotel in agoda.com,.. it is much cheaper if u book it online than to walkin ln a hotel,.30% to 50% off….Try also the embarkadero restaurant,.. the sisig there is the best!.. i forgot the name of the resto.. Enjoy your trip..

Hi this coming summer of 2014, planning to visit legazpi albay. Can you please send how much is your tour package for 4 adults and 1 kid (4yo by that time). I am planning to bring my own car.. could you provide also map / direction how to get there. Or if your tour package is inclusive of the transportation, will it be advisable that we take the plane. Thanks.

beware on the online tour package,..,Much better if you just walk in on their office to talk to the tourist personnel dun n mismo sa bicol.,.. Dont try to ask in Aventura tour package ,,.. Mahirap silang kausap..They are asking for more money., and super bastos kausap after the tour….Also,.. try to download ” waze ” apps on ipad,.. just make sure you have your ipad or iphone with net.. Its really a big help to navigate going to bicol , but the apps is hanggang Naga city lng,,,.. you can just ask people along the way and their sign board kinda confusing kya ingat sa ligaw..but soo far hindi kme naligaw as long as ung isa taga monitor ng navigator….Its actually much fun to drive ,coz u can sight seeing different towns…though its kinda tiring but if u got kids with u much better to take a plane.. if your coming from manila 12 to 13 hrs. drive.. sorry cant give u much info in tour package,..s bicol n kme mismo nagtanong at nag bargain pra sure.. mababait nman ung mga bicolano,..for sure ull enjoy your trip there..try to go to embarkadero in albay.. it is a seaside resto viewing mt, mayon..^^

Me and my wife booked whale shark sight seeing thru http://www.bicolaventura.com/contact-us/.. we were told the cost of the tour would be 1100 php per person for the entire tour since we would not require transportation to Donsol since we had our own car. On arrival we were told that since we were only two people we would need to put a deposit down for the entire capacity of the which is six tourist. Our tour guide told us that this would reserve us a spot that day since the government limits how many boats and people go out in one days time. The guide said that 6000 php would reserve us a boat and once other tourist arrived and we had four other tourist to join us we would recieve all but our 2200 php back. We were eventually joined by four other tourist and set out to see the whale shark. Upon returning to land and finding our tour guide to recieve our deposit back ee were only given 2600 php. When we asked for the rest we were told that was all there was. We then showed the TXT message we had recieved from the number on the website to the tour guide that stated 1100 php per person, he called his agent who told us that the 1100 php did not include the rental of the snorkel equipment and the enviromental fee and tourist fee. My wife explained to the lady on the phone that this was notbwhat we were told at which point the lady replied to my wife “tuff shit you did not understand” and hung up the phone. In short not only were we not given the rest of our money, now I alsohad to deal with a very angry wife on Valentines day. Best advice never use this agency and do not let any agency talk you into giving a deposit just wait till there is a group of six people. Also be forwarned that it is not guaranted you will see a whale shark, your tour will last for a maximium of 3 hour and there is no refund or raincheck.

Hi Karen! I hope you enjoyed your stay in Legazpi last year. Can you also give me the contact number of that person who gave you the package tour quotation? I’ve been looking around for quite some time now. Kindly forward me your reply. Thanks!